Washing Machine Debris Guard Ridge for Coin Trap Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Coins and other debris from clothing pockets can settle between the agitation element and the bottom wall of a washing machine basket, causing rattling and being difficult to remove due to the design of some washing machine configurations.
Innovation Solution
A ridge is incorporated on the bottom wall of the washing machine basket, extending along the axial direction towards the agitation element, positioned inwardly of the perimeter lip to prevent debris from reaching the cavity between the agitation element and the bottom wall, thereby hindering debris from maneuvering into this area.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the agitation element is designed to extend close to the bottom wall for effective washing, then washing performance is improved, but debris can maneuver between the agitation element and bottom wall causing rattling
Solution Approach 1:
A debris guard is introduced as an intermediary component between the agitation element and bottom wall. The debris guard includes a debris guard lip that extends downwardly toward the bottom wall, creating a barrier that prevents debris from maneuvering into the cavity while preserving the close proximity design for effective washing.
Solution Approach 2:
The space between the agitation element and bottom wall is segmented by the debris guard into functional zones. The debris guard lip creates a sub-cavity that isolates debris from the main washing area, allowing the agitation element to maintain close proximity to the bottom wall for effective washing while preventing debris from causing rattling in the primary washing chamber.
2Productivity
If the agitation element is positioned close to the bottom wall, then washing effectiveness is improved, but debris becomes difficult to remove from the cavity
Solution Approach 1:
The debris guard acts as a mediator that facilitates debris removal. By directing debris toward the perimeter of the basket through its lip structure, it makes debris accessible for removal without requiring disassembly of the agitation element, thus maintaining washing effectiveness while improving ease of debris removal.
Solution Approach 2:
The debris guard extracts debris from the difficult-to-reach cavity between the agitation element and bottom wall. The lip structure guides debris toward the perimeter where it can be easily accessed and removed, separating the debris removal function from the washing function while maintaining close proximity for effective washing.
3Force
If the agitation element extends downwardly towards the bottom wall, then agitation effectiveness is improved, but coins and debris can settle in the cavity and rattle during operation
Solution Approach 1:
The debris guard lip serves as a mediator that intercepts coins and debris before they can settle in the cavity. By extending downwardly toward the bottom wall, it creates a barrier that prevents debris from reaching the cavity while allowing the agitation element to maintain its effective downward extension for strong agitation.
Solution Approach 2:
The debris guard applies preliminary anti-action by preventing debris from entering the cavity in the first place. The lip structure creates a physical barrier that stops coins and debris from maneuvering into the space between the agitation element and bottom wall, eliminating the source of rattling before it can occur during operation.
Data Source
AI summary
A washing machine appliance including a tub, a basket rotatably mounted within the tub, and an agitation element is provided. The agitation element defines a perimeter lip extending along an axial direction of the washing machine appliance towards a bottom wall of the basket. The bottom wall of the basket defines a ridge extending along the axial direction towards the agitation element. The ridge may be positioned inwardly of and proximate to the perimeter lip along a radial direction of the wash machine appliance to hinder debris from reaching a cavity defined between the agitation element and a bottom wall of the basket.